TLUG-ADMIN

TLUG has a separate list for discussion of administrivia: tlug-admin. If you'd like to help out with the administration of TLUG, or just want to make sure your voice is heard, feel free to subscribe. It is an open list and not moderated.

Discounts

Prizes

TLUG negotiates donations from corporations and individuals and distributes software and hardware to the membership. The prizes are usually given out at the meetings as part of a game. TLUG has given out stickers, Linux distributions, Linux Journals, Sparc hardware, PCs, keyboards, T-Shirts, monitors, books, and a lot more.

Software and Book Library

Size of Group

The size of TLUG is calculated as the combined number of people on the TLUG mailing list and TLUG digest. There are over 240 people actively using the mailing list. The April 11th, 1998 meeting brought together over 65 Linux enthusiasts in Tokyo, including Tague Griffith of Netscape Communication's I18N division and Cliff Miller, the first President of TurboLinux.

Structure of Group

Joining TLUG

If you join the mailing list, you're considered a member. There are no membership dues or fees. Anyone is free to show up for the meetings or parties and to leave at any time. We try to get a listing of attendees prior to the meeting date so we can make reservations, but if someone has free time at the last minute, feel free to drop by. Since the group tries to promote Linux use, it encourages everyone in Tokyo to drop by.

Language hasn't been a problem. Japanese and English have been mixing smoothly. There are pockets of Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. Pictures of the members are available on the member pages, so you can look at the crowd before you venture to a meeting.

If you can't make it to Tokyo, you can still join and participate through electronic mail.

Appropriate Material for TLUG Mailing Lists

It is important for people posting to the TLUG list to be good net.citizens and to remember that they are part of the Linux Community if they choose to be. Experience shows that the following kinds of topics are appropriate and useful on selected TLUG lists:

Linux specific technical questions and answers in any language, though English and Japanese are the two major languages.

Really easy Linux questions that you feel embarrassed to ask.

Really techie programming or hardware questions that makes make you feel like a geek when you ask them.

Job postings appropriate for Linux users or Job search as long as they are in good taste. (we can vote on this if it becomes an issue. Right now, it appears to be okay, but headhunters seem to be regarded as evil)

Looking to sell, buy, or give away Linux hardware or software.

General Internet, network, TCP/IP, UNIX questions.

General questions about where to buy software, hardware, books, and other techie things in Tokyo or Akihabara.

Anything that you feel is appropriate after you've read a TLUG list for a while. However, please try to keep the majority of posts Linux-centric.

Inappropriate Material for Mailing Lists

"Praise in public; criticize in private." Some disagreements will inevitably arise, but flames must be sent privately and off-line. If you feel you need to correct factual errors on the list, be polite and correct just the facts. Personal attacks on the author are not tolerated.

Random emotional complaints about Linux, or any operating system or software system, used to vent a person's frustration.

Repeated and frequent questions on non-Linux operating systems such as Windows2000, Mac, Novell that have no connection to Linux. The occasional question appears to be okay, but if you get the response `Erm, why aren't you using the Linux version of Swiss Army Knife? It's perfect for that application!' that's only natural. Complaining about the Linux software's lack of features would likely be an inappropriate followup, unless you are proposing to implement them (note: you don't need to volunteer to do the coding!) or requesting a workaround for the missing feature.

Overly large postings or messages will automatically be bounced. If you want to share a large file, place it on the Internet and announce the location of the file.

Strategies for Dealing With the Mailing List Volume

Sort by Sender

The list mail is sent from owner-tlug@tlug.jp. You can filter the mail using procmail or a similar filter as it comes in. Your MUA (Mail User Agent) may allow you to sort by other fields such as To: or Subject:. Mail sent to TLUG will have 'tlug' in the subject.

Subscribe to the TLUG Digest

The digest automatically collects TLUG mailing list messages and puts them into a digest with a table of contents. The digest is sent out once a day or when a maximum size has been reached. The digest and mailing list contain the same information, so a TLUG member may unsubscribe from the mailing list and still participate using the digest.

Thread the subject line

Certain mailers such as mutt, xfmail, netscape and I think mew can thread the subject line. A thread is the topic of discussion generated by use of the reply function. If the thread is not interesting, the TLUG member can skip over the thread.